Packers host ribbon cutting ceremony for American Family Insurance Gate

The Green Bay Packers hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday, Nov. 13, to celebrate the official opening of the American Family Insurance Gate on the east side of Lambeau Field.

The gate is part of the recently renewed partnership between the Packers and the Madison-based insurance company, which has been a partner of the team since 2005. Through the partnership, American Family Insurance is the “Official Insurance Company of the Green Bay Packers,” now through the 2023 season.

The gate, which provides two separate entrances into the stadium, allows fans to have easier access to the Atrium and the Packers Pro Shop. The entrance lobby contains stairs, escalators and elevators to the Atrium, and an additional entrance to the recently renovated Packers Pro Shop, which opened in July.

The gate is also home to the newly installed Lombardi Trophy statue, which was unveiled at the event. A 50-foot replica of the trophy, the statue is located in the lobby of the entrance. The statue can be seen through the windows between the entrances and commemorates the Packers’ history with Vince Lombardi as a coach and pays tribute to the team’s 13 championship titles over its nearly 100-year history.

Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy was present at the ribbon-cutting, along with Jim Buchheim, vice president of communications at American Family Insurance.

“We’re very excited to continue our partnership with American Family Insurance with this gate,” said Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy. “With another entrance into Lambeau Field, fans and visitors to the stadium can have a better experience on gamedays and non-gamedays.”

Other components of the partnership, which was formally announced in July, include the debut of two interactive fan programs – the American Family Insurance DreamZone and DreamDrive – that ran during the Packers 2014 training camp.

The DreamZone area featured inspirational and engaging activities centered on the pursuit of dreams. The DreamDrive, centered on the storied training camp tradition where players ride children’s bikes to and from practice, is a newly designed bike corral for families to enjoy during training camp. Five special bikes, incorporating themes that celebrate Wisconsin’s rich heritage, are also provided for kids to use.

“We’re about pursuing and protecting dreams, and it’s great to be associated with a team and a stadium where so many dreams have been realized,” said Jim Buchheim, American Family Insurance vice president of communications. “We hope all the fans who walk through this new gate and see the Lombardi Trophy statue will be inspired to dream big.”